The phrase in the above title to describe the practice of swath grazing was coined by none other than Dr. Vern Baron, a leading scientist on forage research at the federal government’s agricultural research centre in Lacombe. “Swath grazing is just like providing cattle with frozen TV dinners. And they don’t mind eating them outside,” he says explaining why this practice, believed to be tested and adopted by some 30 to 50 per cent of cattle producers, can be cost effective. Dr. Baron says the practice of swath grazing has multiple benefits, including reducing on-farm labor to 34 per cent , diesel fuel required to 25 per cent and land required to feed cows over winter by 50 per cent. These a
As carbon dioxide continues to build in the atmosphere — thanks to the burning of fossil fuels — scientists are busy figuring out how life on earth is adapting to its effects. And now, new research reinforces the idea that the world’s plant life is adjusting in a subtle, but deeply significant, way. A study, just out Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, supports a long-standing theory that some plants become more efficient at using water under higher carbon dioxide concentrations. This is a boon for the plant, allowing for more efficient photosynthesis, the chemical process by which plants make food for themselves, which requires both carbon dioxide and wate
Farm Succession Planning Steps and Checklist Agdex#:812 Publication Date:March 2010 Order#:10-025 Last Reviewed:August 2015 History:A companion to OMAFRA Factsheet Components of a Farm Succession Plan, Order No. 10-023 Written by:Nick Betts - Business Management Specialist Table of Contents Introduction A Step-by-Step Approach Step-By-Step Checklist Summary Other Resources Available References Disclaimer Introduction There are many different ways to define succession planning. One approach is to think of it as a process occurring over time during which a family plans for the transfer of knowledge, skills, labour, management, control and ownership of the farm business between the founder (ret
12 Tips on Positioning for Success in Times of Economic Resets From Dr. David Kohl Here are Dr. Kohl’s notes on positioning for success in the economic reset. Even though he was addressing a US audience, we can all learn to be better farmers. 1. FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL AND MANAGE This is critical in business. Dr. Kohl’s Homestead Creamery made $68K this year because people kept their glass milk bottles. His milk business had a plan for folks who cherish the glass bottles even when the naysayers said this habit would ruin the business. 2. REALLY GOOD MANAGERS ARE MAKING A COST RE-ADJUSTMENT WHEREVER THEY CAN Kohl told the story of a young farmer who relinquished marginal land, cut famil
In this article, and perhaps the next, I will pose some “what if” questions that are very pertinent to profitable ranching. I will also propose some answers that I think merit your consideration. Here are seven “what if” questions and my thoughts to consider: 1. What if every replacement heifer was selected because she conceived as a yearling in the first cycle of the breeding season? Over time, your yearling heifers and your entire cowherd will become more fertile and the calving season will become shorter. Because the calving season will be shorter, weaning weights will increase. Significantly more heifers will be exposed to breeding; and the environment and the bull will do most of th
